Spectacular and stunning and beautiful are words that tell you about the scenery in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, but they don’t begin to describe the magnificence of the sights!
The author recently had the opportunity to visit two of the flagship luxury hotels in the world, the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which are located in the Banff National Park straddling the border between British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.
The castle-like architecture of these classic hotels reflects the majestic peaks that enfold them, and the service and decor inside take you back to the days of an opulence rarely experienced today.
Fairmont hotels are well-known for their luxury amenities, attentive service, and full range of amenities and activities. What distinguishes them from each other, and from other luxurious properties, is their exceptional situations.
FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is located on the banks of the Bow River. The Bow Falls, easily viewed a short walk from the hotel, are a huge mass of solid ice at this time of year and will no doubt be a marvelous display of nature’s power in the warmer seasons, particularly during the spring run-off!
This dark stone building, the first wing of which was erected in 1887, is imposing despite the towering peaks that surround it!
In winter, the quiet season, there’s cross country skiing and snowshoeing right from the hotel, as well as two alpine skiing destinations within an hour’s drive. Of course, the village of Banff offers great shopping and dining opportunities at any time of year – and sales abound during the snow season!
Summer opens up many more opportunities to enjoy the wonderful outdoors: Championship golf at the Stanley Thompson-designed Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, coach tours, tennis, water sports, swimming pool including kids’ wading pool and in/outdoor hot tubs, and sightseeing from a gondola!
The hotel’s own four-lane bowling centre is open year round for hours of entertainment!
It goes without saying that a deluxe hotel such as the Fairmont Banff Springs offers the complete package for all guests: Conference facilities, meeting rooms, spa services, fitness facilities, pool and hot tub, restaurants and in-room dining, 24-hour front desk, concierge service, weddings, etc.
FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE
You’ve most likely already seen a summer photograph of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, even if you didn’t know exactly what or where it was – it must be one of the most-photographed mountain scenes in the world! The picture probably included the lake beside which the hotel is situated. It’s quite possible that you’ve thought “The colour of that water can’t be real!” The intensity of the turquoise hue varies depending on the time of year, and with the weather – but you will have to believe it’s colour when you see it for yourself!
Of course, in winter the surface of the lake freezes, giving visitors and residents alike a natural surface to skate on, or even whistle up a game of pick-up hockey! You can cross country ski and snowshoe across and around the lake, or take a horse-drawn sleigh ride! There’s an annual ice-carving contest, the entries from which remain on display on the hotel’s frontage as long as weather permits. Snowmobiling and dog sledding tours are also available.
When the ice melts off the lake, there’s a plethora of summer activities available to visitors: Canoeing, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, boat cruises, whitewater rafting, atv tours and visits to the Columbia Icefield.
Starting out as a one-storey log cabin(not in any way resembling today’s version!) “for the outdoor adventurer and alpinist”, the original Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise opened in 1890. This full-service deluxe hotel offers its guests every possible consideration and amenity with impeccable service and luscious surroundings! You’d never know you were in the depths of the Banff National Park surrounded by the wilderness of the Canadian Rocky Mountains – unless you wanted to!
Compass Tours is proud to be associated with these distinctive Fairmont hotels, as well as their sisters, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge further north in the Jasper National Park, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort to the west in the Coast Mountains, and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver!
In honour of this relationship, we are happy to offer this flexible luxury golf vacation that includes the leading hotels and golf courses of Western Canada:
Fourteen nights’ accommodation at …
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Two Nights
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – Two Nights
Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort – Seven Nights
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – Three Nights
… with one round of golf at each of the following courses …
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club (Thompson)
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club (Thompson)
Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course (Trent Jones II)
Nicklaus North Golf Course (Nicklaus)
Whistler Golf Club (Palmer)
Big Sky Golf & CC (Cupp)
Furry Creek Golf Club (Muir Graves)
We offer this self-drive* itinerary, which includes 14 nights’ accommodation, 7 rounds of championship golf, and all applicable taxes, from C$2921 (approximately U$2832 / GBP1884 / E2085 / A$3144) per person based on twin-share.
Space in the hotels and on the golf courses is subject to availability. Car rental, fuel, park fees, gratuities and incidentals are excluded. Rates are based on low season for summer 2010, and a surcharge applies for high season. Prices in non-Canadian currency are subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations. Taxes included are those which applied in February 2010 and are subject to change without notice.
Let us know your dates, and we’ll build a custom itinerary around your schedule!
*Driving yourself gives you the flexibility to explore the area at your leisure between golf destinations … you can stop when, where, and for as long as you would like, to have a picnic, to take some photo’s, to view the local wildlife, or just to stretch your legs!
Contact us today for more information about these lovely hotels, and this flexible itinerary! We can create a luxury vacation just for you, and look forward to providing a free, no-obligation quote!
You’ll appreciate our commitment to service, our local knowledge, and our experience in creating enjoyable Canadian vacation packages – see what our clients say about us!
